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seth walder
multiple authors
2026 nfl draft going on, and teams making things spicy trades. There was already plenty of action on that front on Thursday, which included seven of the 32 first round places Changing hands in earlier deals. The movement continued in Round 1 once things got back on track. We are here to shape the biggest trades from all angles.
Many people say we’ll find out in three or four years who won the draft-day trade. Nonsense NFL general managers don’t have the benefit of foresight when it comes to making trades, so why should analysts look at this when evaluating them? I’m grading these deals Immediately, Based on available information – just like the teams are doing.
To evaluate these deals, I will rely heavily on our estimated valueDraft pick calculations along with important factors such as positional value, salary cap implications and short and long-term team outlook. Trading during the draft can be highly consequential and set the direction for a franchise for years to come, so don’t sleep on the importance of a good performance here.
This page will be updated with deals as they come in throughout the draft, but we’re only grading the biggest deals.
NFL Draft Coverage:
nfl draft trade tracker
Dolphins get: The 49ers’ first-round pick (No. 27) and fourth-round pick (No. 138)
The 49ers get: Dolphins’ first-round pick (No. 30) and third-round pick (No. 90)
Dolphin Grade: C
49ers grade: B+
The Dolphins entered last season with a serious problem at cornerback. But in 2026, he will be selected for this post at least in the first round. Miami traded up three spots to secure San Diego State cornerback chris johnson At pick number 27. Cost? One of the Dolphins’ four third-round picks.
According to ESPN’s draft pick valuations, the Dolphins were overpaid by a fringe pick in the late third round or early fourth round – indicative of the fact that the team should expect to get a player at No. 27 overall. barely Better than the player found at number 30.
There was certainly a chance Johnson could have fallen three places to 30th. And even if not, the Dolphins could take another similar-caliber player! cornerback colton hood (Tennessee), Avion Terrell (Clemson), jermod mccoy (Tennessee) and brandon sisse (South Carolina) Everyone was still on board.
Some will say this move makes sense since the Dolphins still have three third-rounders, but that’s short-sighted. Just because the Dolphins acquired extra draft assets doesn’t mean they should give them away for less than they’re worth!
Texas gets: The Bills’ first-round pick (No. 26) and third-round pick (No. 91)
Bills are received: The Texans’ first-round pick (No. 28), third-round pick (No. 69) and fifth-round pick (No. 167)
Texans Grade: C
Bill Grade: B+
The Texans couldn’t wait for two more picks to continue rebuilding their ever-increasing offensive line. georgia tech guard Keelan Rutledge will jump into an offensive line that is Wyatt Taylor And ed ingram On safety but could definitely use another potential starter in the interior.
Compared to other trades in the first round, the overpayment was relatively small. But still, the package Houston sent to Buffalo was worth more than what they got in return. Bills increased by an amount equal to the surplus value at the end of the fourth round or the beginning of the fifth round.
Besides, it was probably a tradeoff to reach. Entering Thursday, ESPN’s draft day predictor gave Rutledge just a 2% chance of being selected in the first round. Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Rutledge at No. 36. two-round mock draft A few days ago – but still, 10 selections later!
The Eagles get: Cowboys’ first-round pick (No. 20) and 2027 seventh-round pick
Cowboys get: The Eagles’ first-round pick (No. 23) and two fourth-round picks (Nos. 114 and 137)
Eagles Grade: B-
Cowboy Grade: B+
The Eagles traded for him aj brown The replacement before officially trading away its star wide receiver. Philadelphia traded two selections in the fourth round for the right to move from 23 to 20 in an agreement with the Cowboys to select a USC pass catcher. corn lemon.
with brown possibly headed to patriots After June 1, Lemon fills an immediate need as a second wide receiver devonta smith.
Lemon fell more than expected. Entering Thursday, there was only a 4% chance he would still be on the board at No. 20. This minimizes the value lost in the trade, although the fact that several teams that could have used a wide receiver passed on him is also a relevant data point.
In a vacuum, the Eagles lost this exchange. According to ESPN’s draft pick valuations, the value of the two quarterbacks is, on average, more than the difference between the player the Eagles could land at 20 versus 23. Because of this, I wouldn’t have made this trade – but I’m not doing it Very From Philadelphia’s perspective the deal fell through as Lemon slid down the board and then saw a clear level decline at wide receiver.
The Cowboys could pick Lemon themselves – especially if they’re seriously considering a trade george pickens Or letting it walk in a year – but the added value through the trade down is usually worth it. Some people will scoff at making a trade with a team within the division, but I think the opposite is true. Who could have a better draft pick than an opponent?
Cowboys get: Dolphins’ first-round pick (No. 11)
Dolphins get: Cowboys’ first-round pick (No. 12), Cowboys’ two fifth-round picks (Nos. 177 and 180)
Cowboy Grade: b
Dolphin Grade: b
The Cowboys saw off Ohio State’s defense. caleb downs Falling down the draft board and decided to guarantee they could draft him.
Dallas traded two compensatory fifth-round picks to move up one spot in the deal with the Dolphins. According to ESPN’s draft pick valuations, the Dolphins are still ahead with extra picks, but that’s a lower than average overpay for a non-QB in the first round. Plus, Dallas is acquiring a player who was already expected to be off the board. Entering Thursday night, Downs had only a 52% chance of going No. 8 on the board and only a 12% chance of going No. 11, according to ESPN’s Draft Day Predictor.
That doesn’t mean I think the Cowboys originally got the No. 8 pick for the price of trading up to No. 11 — the fact that Downs was passed for 10 picks should tell us something — but it does mitigate the perceived loss in value. Also, it can be argued that by making this trade, the Cowboys avoided selecting a player who was one level lower than the players they drafted at that point in the draft.
Downs is a prime prospect for a defense that desperately needs it. Dallas ranked last in EPA per game on defense last season, so this is a trade I’m good at.
This was also a good move for the Dolphins. They added a pair of Day 3 picks and drafted one player – Alabama offensive tackle cadin proctor — Surely he would have made the choice anyway.
Chiefs get: Browns’ first-round pick (No. 6)
The Browns get: The Chiefs’ first-round pick (No. 9), third-round pick (No. 74) and fifth-round pick (No. 148)
Major Grade: D+
Brown Grade: A-
The Chiefs had a rare opportunity to land a top 10 pick after their disappointing 2025 campaign, entering Thursday with the No. 9 pick. He decided to go even higher.
In a deal with the Browns to select the LSU cornerback, Kansas City moved up three spots, a third-round pick and a fifth-rounder, from No. 9 to No. 6. Mansoor Delaney. Delaney immediately filled the Chiefs’ desperate need at cornerback after Kansas City lost two starting cornerbacks to the Rams this offseason. Trent McDuffie (business) and jaylen watson (free agency).
The Chiefs are betting on defensive coordinator Steve Spaniguolo to make the most of whatever cornerbacks he has and develop that young talent. We now know that Delaney is also involved in the plan.
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What does Mansoor Delaney bring to the Chiefs
What does Mansoor Delaney bring to the Chiefs
But was it a smart deal? I don’t think so.
The trade Jimmy Johnson was also on the chart, but it is an old measure and indicative of NFL teams’ overconfidence in their ability to predict the difference between one prospect and another. According to ESPN’s projected value-based draft pick valuation – which is based on how players actually perform in each draft slot – the Chiefs overpaid on average for a first-round, non-QB trade.
Here’s the kicker: There was a good chance Delaney would have fallen to No. 9. In fact, at the time of his selection, draft day predictors gave Delaney a 90% chance of going ninth overall. Even if that was a bit high, there’s still a good chance the Chiefs gave up third and fifth round picks for nothing!
This is an easy win for the Browns. Trading up early in the NFL Draft is one of the most obvious ways for teams to gain an edge. Cleveland went with extra draft capital and Utah still got the offensive tackle spencer fan – A highly ranked player in a position of need – with the number 9 choice.
